Arcadia High School’s (AHS) Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) committee hosted its annual Diversity Week, a series of cultural events designed to celebrate student cultures and school diversity during the week of Mar. 4 to 7. Each event took place during lunch at the Rally Court, offering attendees the chance to explore different traditions through food, art, and other interactive activities.
To kick off Diversity Week, EDI organized an interactive event on Monday, inviting students to explore cultural representation through creativity. The activity encouraged participants to design and paint unique flags that symbolized their personal heritage and identity.With an array of paints and materials provided, students crafted flag designs reflecting different aspects of their cultural backgrounds.
“It’s really nice to see all the different cultures and backgrounds of the other students at Arcadia, and I’m truly grateful for this opportunity to get to know my fellow students,” said freshman Callahan Tsai.
The Spanish Club hosted the “Chips, Dips & Snips” event on Tuesday, offering students a chance to experience a taste of Spanish culture. It featured Spanish music, food samples, and a DIY project.
Attendees were treated to a variety of Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine, including chips served with salsa, guacamole, and beans. Students had the opportunity to make their own papel picado, a traditional Mexican art craft made out of colored tissue paper.
“It’s wonderful. I’m proud of where I came from, and the samples [were] a great representation,” said senior Jonathan Mondragon.
Senior Max Chang-Amayo, the president of the Spanish Club, expressed his satisfaction with the turnout. “We did really, really well. Our attendance was higher than expected, and I’m glad to see so many people enjoying our culture.”
The event not only provided food and fun activities, but also allowed students a connection to Spanish culture.
After a break on Wednesday, Diversity Week resumed on Thursday, with Hindu Yuva Club hosting an exciting cultural experience, introducing students to a variety of traditional Indian snacks. The event aimed to celebrate India’s rich culinary heritage while offering students a chance to expand their palates. Furthermore, students could try traditional Indian henna, a temporary form of tattoo made of a reddish dye from the henna plant, on their hands.
“I was very excited to see my culture on display during the event, I thought it was a great way to share both Indian art and food,” said sophomore Aviral Saxena.
The event was a delicious way for students to engage with Indian culture, fostering an appreciation for its diverse flavors and traditions, while bringing people together through food and art.
“I was honestly quite surprised by the snacks, I’ve never tried them before and they were honestly really good,” said junior Wilson Chen.
Students gathered in front of the S-Building to explore the culture clubs that represented AHS during the Culture and Identity Fair on Friday.
Clubs such as the Spanish Club, African American Student Union (AASU), American Sign Language Club, Cantonese Culture Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Middle Eastern Culture Club, and Taiwanese Appreciation Club set up booths showcasing their traditions and encouraging students to get join their club’s weekly meetings.
The fair provided an opportunity for students to connect with different cultural organizations and learn more about the diverse backgrounds within the school community.
Many club members were excited about the chance to introduce their organizations to a broader audience. “We had a lot of people stop by our booth and express interest in joining. It’s exciting to see students eager to learn more about different cultures,” said senior Nicole Anomachi, president of AASU.
This year’s Diversity Week successfully showcased the wide ranges of culture represented on campus, promoting inclusivity and student identity. The week brought students together to appreciate the diversity that AHS has to offer.
